Cheers 2006
The last week has been quite eventful. On top of all the "events" and Holiday parties, I had a chance to do some touristy things like going to the top of the Sky tower (the one in almost every city shot that looks like the space needle). We watch as a man bungied off the side and it looked so simple. If I had to bungee, it's how I'd do it- completely controlled and with a harness.
We watched high above the city as the clear sky turned dark and brought a downpour by the time the tour was over but it made for some amazing shots!
Next we headed off to Fort Victoria, a top a hill and houses a canon that's never been fired. Most of the military here is scoffed at because Kiwis believe that no one would ever think of invading NZ (it's too far, and too small) so far, they have been correct although they sent soldiers to both World Wars and to Vietnam. Currently, the coast guard is over in Australia combating deadly brush fires over there where 3 kiwis were caught in a backlash but escaped alive right before Christmas.
I also attended a Cricket Match with Margaret & Graham, Brandon & Graham's grandson (8) Ryan. By the end of it I was catching on to what wickets were and even cheered when the NZ team THE BLACK CAPS scored a "6" in their final "over" against the Sri Lankan's. Don't ask me what a wicket or a over is when I get back- by then I will have forgotten, but it's a crazy game, and the outfielders catch this super hard baseball without gloves while wearing sweater vests for a uniform if it's breezy. Apparently baseball came from cricket. But with two batters on the field and a 5 day game (called a test match) I don't really see any kind of family resemblance forming. It was interesting though that is for sure.
Next, Margaret & I hit up "Kelly Tarlton's" which is a sort of mini Sea World without the Dolphins. They did, however have massive sting rays and a young "bloke" who could have been Michael Brooke's twin (with the NZ accent) was in the tank talking about how much he loves PHOEBE- the park's oldest girl (40 yrs.) and she kept wrapping her entire 3 ton body around him to get at the food in his hand. It was a little like a car wreck- you almost didn't want to watch, but couldn't turn away . . . The Sting ray would flap her "fin" above water and splash all the little babies pressed up against the glass of the tank and they'd all scream and the guide would just smile. I wished I had either been younger or had my own kids to laugh at because it was very amusing (at the kiddies expense).
I topped each night off with an exhausting game of hide & seek with Margaret's cat Cassius. He kind of scared me with his beady eyes and would hide under my bed and wait for me to come into my room when I didn't know he was there . . . then when I'd pass he'd swipe at me with his lanky paws. I think he was playing? Or maybe he was secretly trying to remove me from his territory . . . these NZ peeps love them some cats. I have taken tons of pictures to prove it. Dogs are workers not pets. The only dog owners I've met (aside from Rachael) own them to heard sheep and that is it.
My time with Margaret & Graham came to an end this morning and I went back to the Vedders (thank goodness- ask me later).
Bruce, Alison & I went up to visit Bruce's nephew & his family who live on a farm. They have a HUGE hairy pig "Larabelle" and two autistic boys who wanted to show off for me the entire time (Dominic 5 & Anthony 8). What a great family. John (their dad) was incredibly welcoming and actually had GOOD things to say about his time spent in the States. His boys kept interrupting any conversations I was having with "watch this Chrissie" and they whizzed by on scooters, bikes, then did flips on the trampaline. They were beautiful.
Okay so me . . . (hey, you asked). I am homesick admittedly. I came on this Holiday to learn more about "who I am" apart from my "work" and my "family" and my "service". Turns out I knew me after all and there is a strange tugging for family - all of you - and my home- constantly with every sight see, every activity, every amazing sunset or countryside. It wasn't exactly what I expected to happen, but here it is.
I have had some eye-opening conversations with Bruce, Margaret, Rachael, and observed so much more and it's driven me to my knees everyday for one reason or another. No matter what, it's been an incredible opportunity to just be interceding for this family constantly since they are always around. If that was my main reason for coming here, so be it.
Tomorrow we are expecting a storm and it's NY Eve. No great parties to attend, no special events have been scheduled. I suspect it'll be a quiet night in watching the ball drop or whatever they do here for it. I'm here though, and that is the thing that matters most. Even with the not so ideal weather, I can't complain.
Happy New Year!
